News Rugby convert explodes as solution to Dogs’ injury crisis emerges: Reserves Wrap

[djdeep4172]

The Bulldogs’ injury crisis will force Cameron Ciraldo to dip into his reserves — and there’s one metre-eating, tackle-busting beast that should be the first cab off the rank.

The Bulldogs haven’t been in any hurry to throw rugby convert Jeral Skelton into first grade but with their injury list growing, it could finally be time for Skelton to shine.

The 24-year-old put on a show in the Dogs’ 28-6 win over the Eels, notching up 253 running metres, a linebreak and 12 tackle busts — four of them alone during a rampaging 50-metre run in the lead-up to a try. He also made six tackles with zero misses while playing on the wing.

Jacob Kiraz and Jake Averillo have joined the lengthy injury list in Belmore which already includes star winger Josh Addo-Carr.

Skelton was formally part of the Rugby 7s setup before joining the Bulldogs mid-2022 on a train-and-trial. He was upgraded to a two-year Top 30 deal over the off-season.

 

[djdeep4172]

This guy is an absolute animal and beast. I don’t know why they haven’t thrown him in first grade yet
Huge X factor

 

[Powerslide]

Would really like to see it happen, it could turn a really depressing injury crisis into a positive. Though It could be a failure though if his defence doesn't hold up.

In attack it is like he is playing with boys at the moment.

 

[Dogsville]

Give him a go. Hope he plays well and is able to stay in first grade for rest of the year.

 

[dogwhisperer]

The Bulldogs’ injury crisis will force Cameron Ciraldo to dip into his reserves — and there’s one metre-eating, tackle-busting beast that should be the first cab off the rank.

The Bulldogs haven’t been in any hurry to throw rugby convert Jeral Skelton into first grade but with their injury list growing, it could finally be time for Skelton to shine.

The 24-year-old put on a show in the Dogs’ 28-6 win over the Eels, notching up 253 running metres, a linebreak and 12 tackle busts — four of them alone during a rampaging 50-metre run in the lead-up to a try. He also made six tackles with zero misses while playing on the wing.

Jacob Kiraz and Jake Averillo have joined the lengthy injury list in Belmore which already includes star winger Josh Addo-Carr.

Skelton was formally part of the Rugby 7s setup before joining the Bulldogs mid-2022 on a train-and-trial. He was upgraded to a two-year Top 30 deal over the off-season.

Our outside backs should be:

1. Avo
2. Skelton
3. Kiraz
4. Alamoti
5. JAC

No if’s or but’s

 

[djdeep4172]

Surely ciraldo knows we are no threat with flano at 7??????
Bullet needs to be bitten eaither
Olapau or Reynolds to 7
Can’t see us scoring any points regardless of backline changes .
Our 1 and 7 have us in quicksand.

 

[dogwhisperer]

Surely ciraldo knows we are no threat with flano at 7??????
Bullet needs to be bitten eaither
Olapau or Reynolds to 7
Can’t see us scoring any points regardless of backline changes .
Our 1 and 7 have us in quicksand.

Even Rajab would do better at 7 if they don't want to rush KO. Anyone other than KF would be an upgrade

 

[shannon2009]

There is two changes that need to happen, KO at 7 and Skelton outside Kiraz.
coach also needs to tell them to just play Potter ball.

 

[Flanagun]

Surely ciraldo knows we are no threat with flano at 7??????
Bullet needs to be bitten eaither
Olapau or Reynolds to 7
Can’t see us scoring any points regardless of backline changes .
Our 1 and 7 have us in quicksand.

Even Rajab would do better at 7 if they don't want to rush KO. Anyone other than KF would be an upgrade

NO!!!

Reynolds is too old and injury prone to start and KO is not good enough. Rajab isn't even close to good enough. Both have vastly inferior Cup stats to what the 'gun churned out in Cup last year.

Flano will go fine if Reed just trusts him and stops butchering plays.

Geez, when are people gonna get smart?

 

[Flanagun]

There is two changes that need to happen, KO at 7.

NO!!!

 

[Mitch Connor]

If Skelton doesn’t get a run now they might aswell release him - which I’m sure they will anyway. Gus changes the lower half of the roster more than he changes his underwear

 

[Raikkonen]

If Skelton doesn’t get a run now they might aswell release him - which I’m sure they will anyway. Gus changes the lower half of the roster more than he changes his underwear

In the post-Parra presser Ciraldo was asked about Skelton potentially coming in the first grade to cover injuries, and Ciraldo's reply mentioned a few other candidates, by he avoided Skelton all together. Must be something gong on behind the scenes.

 

[Roger the alien]

No excuses to not make a change this week..
Skelton in the backline somewhere and either Rajab or Oloapu at 7.

 

[diddly]

If you were the opposition who would you not want to defend against - Flanagan, Reynolds Perham or Skelton, Wilson Oloapu - three that you are aware of offer no threat the other three you would at least be guessing.

Round 14 - on assumption Averillo Kiraz JAC are fit

Averillo Wilson Alamoti Kiraz Jac Burton Oloapu/or Rajab /or Hayward - bench to include Skelton and bench not to include Okunbor and Reynolds

I havent seen enough of the Reggies games to know if Wilson n Skelton are defending well enough - but they can attack!

 

[NPC83]

We’ll know today at 4pm. But I think Skelton comes in. Not sure about KO. Would love to see him take Reynolds spot on the bench but seems Ciro is leaning toward experience with so many injuries.

 

[TheAlmightyJish]

NO!!!

Reynolds is too old and injury prone to start and KO is not good enough. Rajab isn't even close to good enough. Both have vastly inferior Cup stats to what the 'gun churned out in Cup last year.

Flano will go fine if Reed just trusts him and stops butchering plays.

Geez, when are people gonna get smart?

Flanagan couldn't organise a root in a brothel

 

[djdeep4172]

If Ciraldo wants to average 4-10 points for the rest of the season per game scored
Keep Flano at 7 and Perham at 1.

Blind Freddy can see our spine is misfiring and putting extra pressure on
reed and Burton and their form is suffering .

Ideally Averillo worth a crack at 1 again has more spark ⚡.
Rajab worth a crack couldn’t be worse than the flange .

Perham even though safe barely breaks the line ,avo has him covered for speed .

 

[chemdog]

Skelton makes the most sense to play considering we need to replace the meters that kiraz makes with a similar type player

 

[LordSidious66]

LOL, it won't matter who we pick. The match officials will screw us over like they did in the Manly, Warriors, Souths, Tigers and Parra game. We won't get anywhere as long as the NRL continues to screw us.

 

[D0GMATIC]

About fucking time !!